335 – Chris Johnston – VA Mobile App

335 – Chris Johnston – VA Mobile App

I was in the VA system before I could watch movies and sports on my phone. Doing anything with the VA, even with a computer, could be daunting at best and frustrating at worst. I was excited when I was told the VA was developing and fully functional app that could be used on my phone. I had such a great experience after I downloaded VA App that I asked to talk to someone involved with developing this app for Veterans.

Imagine my surprise when the VA told me I would get to talk to the development lead for the project, Chris Johnston.

Chris Johnston is the son of an Air Force Veteran. As part of VA’s Digital Modernization Strategy, he led the team that launched the redesigned VA.gov in 2018 and today serves as VA’s Deputy Chief Technology Officer for Digital Experience. Talking with Chris allowed me to understand the challenges the team faced to deliver an experience for Veterans across many demographics.

 The VA App is designed to give Veterans the tools and information they need right on their phone no matter where they are. I can tell you from my experience that it is like having a fully functional VA office in my pocket. I can’t recommend it enough.

Thank you, Chris, for talking with me and creating something that benefits all Veterans in the VA system.

Special shout out to Keith Hayes of Sinsta 1 Productions who took the VA’s Public Service Announcement about the VA Mobile App and put in all the videos for my show over the last couple of months. It has always looked great. Thank you.

Go to Apple’s App Store or Google Play to download The VA App today!

Apple – https://apps.apple.com/cv/app/va-health-and-benefits/id1559609596

Google – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gov.va.mobileapp



Veterans Administration – Public Service Announcement

View and cancel health care appointments, view claims and appeals status, upload documentation to VA, securely message your doctor, locate VA facilities, retrieve your vaccine records, access the Veterans Crisis Line, and more—right from your phone—with VA’s Health and Benefits mobile app. The app also makes it easy to prove your status as a Veteran so you can take advantage of available retailer discounts. Join nearly 700,000 users in the Veteran community who are accessing their benefits and services, safely and securely, wherever and whenever they need them: https://bit.ly/3O43Yoe


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Semper Savage is the official marinade and salad dressing for Oscar Mike Radio! Semper Savage is a Veteran Owned salad dressing and marinade company. Go to www.sempersavage.com and use “oscarmikeradio” at checkout for 10% off your order. Thank you for supporting a Veteran Owned Business.

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277 – Move Part Two

277 – Move Part Two

Oscar Mike Radio 262 (https://oscarmikeradio.com/262-move/)  on October 8th, I talked about my experience joining the Veterans Administration’s MOVE program.

I wanted to keep this as an ongoing series because as I move through getting back to full activity, managing this part of my health is very important. 

I finished the program in the first week of January 2022. All I can simply say is that the four months in the program with other Veteran and the professionals from VA was overwhelmingly positive.

Being with other Veterans who were trying to do the same thing I was doing felt like I was part of the unit again. Listening to their challenges and victories, I came to realize that they weren’t that different from me.

I am now part of the MOVE Alumni program. I will be meeting once a week with other Veterans to stay on track with my goals. What compelled me to do this was the care I received from the MOVE Program professionals. Everyone from the dieticians, physical therapists, and psychologists, impressed upon me that they were committed to my success. This was helpful as I was trying to recover. I want to thank them for all their work on our behalf because they are right there with us even after we leave the program.

Looking forward to checking in with you all. I want to show that a healthy lifestyle is possible with commitment, effort, and support.

Go to https://www.move.va.gov/ ​to get started. There are many tools and resources to help you live your best life. Be the change you want and MOVE!



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Semper Savage

Semper Savage is the official marinade and salad dressing for Oscar Mike Radio! Semper Savage is a Veteran Owned salad dressing and marinade company. Go to www.sempersavage.com and use “oscarmikeradio” at checkout for 10% off your order. Thank you for supporting a Veteran Owned Business.

Bottom Gun Coffee

The official coffee of Oscar Mike Radio is Bottom Gun Coffee. Submariners know their coffee so go to www.bottomguncoffee.com and use “OMR” at checkout for 10% off your order! Thank you for supporting a Veteran Owned Business